Rani

"Rani," a 2025 Sri Lankan film, vividly depicts the atrocities that occurred in Sri Lanka during 1988 and 198917. The film has been praised for its cinematography and acting, making it a compelling cinematic experience1. "Rani" is a biographical drama thriller directed by Asoka Handagama and produced by Subaskaran Allirajah for Lyca Productions15. The movie stars Swarna Mallawarachchi as Manorani Saravanamuttu, and the cast includes Rehan Amaratunga, Sanath Gunathilake, Sajitha Anthony, and Bimal Jayakody.

The movie is based on the true story of Richard de Zoysa, a journalist, writer, human rights activist, and actor who was abducted and killed in 199013. The film follows his mother, Dr. Manorani Saravanamuttu, and her relentless pursuit of justice following her son's tragic death.

Critics have generally given "Rani" positive reviews, praising its soundtrack, cinematography, and the performances of the cast, particularly Swarna Mallawarachchi1. As of February 14, 2025, the film had grossed LKR 100 million, making it one of the highest-grossing films in Sri Lankan cinema history1. For younger audiences, "Rani" is an essential viewing experience that illustrates the impact of political unrest and the resilience of those who stood against oppression.

* movie reveals Richard De Zoysa was gay * Googles Richard De Zoysa - educated at St. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia Bro, we're never beating them allegations lol

On a more serious note however, Rani is a movie that was sufficient enough to satisfy, but not to impress. And I suppose I did go in hoping to be impressed, based on everything I've heard about it. But I wouldn't necessarily hold it against the movie as I would myself for my lack of historical context as to the political reality of the time, which is so readily apparent throughout the movie to be all the difference in how likely you are to judge its effectiveness.

Swarna Mallawarachchi delivers a tremendous performance as Dr. Manorani Saravanamuttu, truly bringing the character to life. It was a delight to watch her evolution after the tragic loss of her son. The supporting cast also did an excellent job, with Ranasinghe Premadasa's portrayal being especially uncanny.

However, if you're unfamiliar with the historical and political landscape of that era, some characters and scenes might not fully resonate. While the story itself is understandable, the deeper significance of certain events may be lost without prior knowledge of their real-life political impact.

I did feel that some scenes were unnecessarily drawn out, and I wished for more focus on the characters' lives during that time. If you plan on watching, I highly recommend reading up on the R. Premadasa era beforehand to get a full understanding of why those characters are important and why they were included in the movie.

That said, I'm really glad to see a Sinhala movie of this caliber. Our theater was houseful even on the fourth day, which speaks to its impact. Hopefully, Sri Lankan cinema continues to produce such high-quality films-our history has plenty of powerful real-life stories to tell!

A deeply introspective and unconventional film, Rani offers a poignant exploration of grief, identity, and the societal expectations placed on women, particularly mothers. Swarna Mallawarachchi delivers a gripping performance, embodying a character rarely seen in Sri Lankan cinema-one that challenges traditional notions of maternal sacrifice and morality. The film's atmospheric storytelling, strong casting, and evocative music contribute to its emotional depth, though it occasionally stumbles with pacing and underdeveloped character arcs. Despite these minor shortcomings, Rani remains a compelling and thought-provoking watch, standing apart from mainstream Sri Lankan cinema with its bold narrative choices and psychological depth. Ultimately, Rani is a great reflection of the psychological dilemma Dr. Manorani Saravanamuttu is struggling with after the sudden death of her son.

Based on true story in 1990s in Sri Lanka. International journalist ,Richard de Soyza kidnapped and slaughtered by former president Ranasingha Premadasa era.

Swarana Mallawarachchi cast very elegant charactor, Manorani Sarawanamuttu who s mother of Richard de Soyza .

Richard de Zoysa was a fearless journalist who criticized the government's human rights abuses during the late 1980s and early 1990s-a period marked by political violence, disappearances, and death squads. In February 1990, he was abducted from his home by unidentified armed men (widely believed to be state-sponsored death squads) and later found dead on a beach in Moratuwa, his body showing signs of torture. His murder sparked international outrage.